U.S. patent number 8,800,580 [Application Number 13/640,632] was granted by the patent office on 2014-08-12 for nordic walking pole with buffer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Lekisport AG. The grantee listed for this patent is Eberhard Heim. Invention is credited to Eberhard Heim.
United States Patent |
8,800,580 |
Heim |
August 12, 2014 |
Nordic walking pole with buffer
Abstract
A pole, in particular a Nordic walking pole, is described,
having a pole body (1) at the lower end of which a buffer (2) with
a tip (19) is provided, wherein the tip (19) and/or a lowermost
portion (28, 36) of an inner sleeve (3) secured to the pole body
(1) are arranged passing through a central opening (18) of the
buffer (2), wherein the buffer (2) is mounted such that it can be
moved and secured in an axial direction in this central opening
(18), and wherein the buffer (2) can be secured in at least two
axially different positions in relation to the pole body (1) via a
form-fit connection. This pole is preferably characterized in that
the buffer (2) comprises an outer sleeve (25) engaging around and
mounted axially movably on the inner sleeve (3), on the outside of
which outer sleeve (25) a latching lever (4) is articulated,
wherein the latching lever (4), at its lower end (6) directed
towards the rolling surface (13), is articulated on the outer
sleeve (25), and, at its upper end (7) in the secured position of
the buffer (2), engages around the pole body (1) and/or the inner
sleeve (3) at least partially with a form fit and can be released
by being pivoted away from the outer sleeve (25).
Inventors: |
Heim; Eberhard (Unterensingen,
DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Heim; Eberhard |
Unterensingen |
N/A |
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Lekisport AG (Barr,
CH)
|
Family
ID: |
42340726 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/640,632 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2011 |
PCT
Filed: |
April 06, 2011 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2011/055296 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
November 28, 2012 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2011/128231 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
October 20, 2011 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20130068268 A1 |
Mar 21, 2013 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Apr 14, 2010 [CH] |
|
|
0533/10 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/81; 280/819;
135/78; 135/86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C
11/22 (20130101); A61H 3/0288 (20130101); A45B
9/04 (20130101); Y10T 29/4984 (20150115); A45B
2200/055 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45B
9/04 (20060101); A63C 11/22 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;135/65,69,70,77,86,78,80-82,84 ;280/817-819 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
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384 148 |
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Nov 1964 |
|
CH |
|
4406062 |
|
Sep 1994 |
|
DE |
|
20 2007 011083 |
|
Nov 2007 |
|
DE |
|
10 2008 019 181 |
|
Oct 2009 |
|
DE |
|
2942700 |
|
Sep 2010 |
|
FR |
|
05246216 |
|
Sep 1993 |
|
JP |
|
2005/120281 |
|
Dec 2005 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2006019303 |
|
Feb 2006 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2006047803 |
|
May 2006 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2006047804 |
|
May 2006 |
|
WO |
|
2008/037098 |
|
Apr 2008 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Yip; Winnie
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A pole having a pole body, at the lower end of which a buffer
with a tip is provided, wherein the tip and/or a lowermost portion
of an inner sleeve, the inner sleeve being secured to the pole
body, is arranged passing through a central opening of the buffer,
wherein the buffer is mounted so that it can be moved and secured
in an axial direction to the pole body in this central opening, and
wherein the buffer can be secured in at least two axially different
positions in relation to the pole body or the inner sleeve via a
form-fit connection, wherein the buffer comprises an outer sleeve
engaging around and mounted axially movably on the inner sleeve, on
an outside of which outer sleeve a latching lever is articulated,
wherein the latching lever, at its lower end directed towards a
rolling surface at a lower end of the buffer, is articulated on the
outer sleeve and, at its upper end in the secured position of the
buffer, engages around the pole body and/or the inner sleeve at
least partially with a form fit and can be released by being
pivoted away from the outer sleeve, and wherein the outer sleeve
comprises a buffer attachment at a lower end thereof, which can be
detachably secured to the outer sleeve, with the aid of a securing
pin running transversely to a pole axis, which at the same time
serves as an anti-turn device for the displacement of the outer
sleeve on the inner sleeve, wherein the securing pin is a guide pin
engaging in a guide recess of the inner sleeve which is offset the
pole axis to allow an axial displacement but not twisting of the
outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve about the pole axis.
2. The pole according to claim 1, wherein the latching lever in the
secured position of the buffer engages at least partially around
the inner sleeve.
3. The pole according to claim 2, wherein an at least partially
circumferential extension and/or an at least partially
circumferential indentation is provided on the inner sleeve in the
engagement region of the lever, on or in which the upper end of the
latching lever acts or engages positively.
4. The pole according to claim 3, wherein on an inner side of the
upper end of the latching lever, a projection in the form of a
contact region is provided on the circumference of the inner sleeve
and an undercut following directly in a direction of an axis of
rotation of the latching lever is provided for contact on the
circumference of the extension in at least one secured
position.
5. The pole according to claim 1, wherein an axis of rotation of
the latching lever is disposed substantially perpendicular to the
pole axis.
6. The pole according to claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve and the
outer sleeve consist of a substantially inflexible hard plastic and
the buffer attachment is formed from an elastomeric material or
from a securing region having an elastomeric region forming the
rolling surface.
7. The pole according to claim 1, wherein in an upper region the
inner sleeve has an axial recess for receiving and securing the
pole body and the tip is secured in a lower region of the inner
sleeve.
8. The pole according to claim 7, wherein the tip is secured on the
lower region of the inner sleeve by means of a securing element,
which has an upper securing stub which is secured in a recess in
the lower region, and adjoining in the downward direction, a flange
followed in the downward direction by a lower securing stub in
which the tip is let in a recess.
9. The pole according to claim 7, wherein the tip is secured on the
lower region of the inner sleeve by means of a securing element,
which has an upper securing stub which is secured in a recess in
the lower region, and adjoining in the downward direction, a flange
only extending in the running direction towards the front and back
followed in the downward direction by a lower securing stub in
which the tip, made of hardened and/or coated metal or of ceramic
or of a combination of such materials, is let in a recess, wherein
the upper securing stub has a non-circular cross-section.
10. The pole according to claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve can be
fixed in two positions relative to the inner sleeve, wherein in an
upper position of the outer sleeve the tip is arranged so that it
projects downwards over the rolling surface, and wherein in a lower
position of the outer sleeve the tip does not project over the
rolling surface, and wherein these two positions are each fixed
positively by means of the latching lever.
11. The pole according to claim 1, wherein the latching lever in
the secured position of the buffer engages at least partially
around the inner sleeve, by more than half a circumference of the
inner sleeve.
12. The pole according to claim 1, wherein an axis of rotation of
the latching lever is disposed substantially perpendicular to the
pole axis and wherein outwardly projecting bearing extensions are
provided on the outer sleeve in order to mount this axis of
rotation in axial holes.
13. The pole according to claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve and the
outer sleeve as well as the latching lever consist of a
substantially inflexible hard plastic and the buffer attachment is
formed from an elastomeric material or from a securing region
having an elastomeric region forming the rolling surface.
14. The pole according to claim 1, wherein in an upper region the
inner sleeve has an axial recess for receiving and securing the
pole body and the tip is secured in a lower region of the inner
sleeve, wherein the tip comprises a metal tip, made of hardened
and/or coated metal or of ceramic or of a combination of such
materials, and wherein the tip is secured in an axial recess of the
lower part of the inner sleeve.
15. The pole according to claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve can be
fixed in two positions relative to the inner sleeve, wherein in an
upper position of the outer sleeve the tip is arranged so that it
projects downwards over the rolling surface, projecting in the
range of 2-10 mm, and wherein in a lower position of the outer
sleeve the tip does not project over the rolling surface, wherein
this is arranged in this second position 2-10 mm above the rolling
surface and embedded in the buffer, and wherein these two positions
are each fixed positively by means of the latching lever.
16. A method for mounting a pole according to claim 1, wherein the
outer sleeve without attachment is pushed onto the inner sleeve and
wherein the attachment is then put in place and is secured with the
securing pin on the outer sleeve, wherein the securing pin engages
in the guide recess in the inner sleeve so that inner sleeve and
outer sleeve are only displaceable in the axial region predefined
by the guide recesses.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the inner sleeve is
secured on the pole body.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the inner sleeve is
secured on the pole body, by securing the pole body in a recess in
the upper region of the inner sleeve, wherein the tip can be
secured by means of a securing element on the inner sleeve or can
be secured thereafter on the inner sleeve.
19. A buffer for a pole, comprising a tip, wherein the tip and/or a
lowermost portion of an inner sleeve, the inner sleeve being
designed to be secured to a pole body, is arranged passing through
a central opening of the buffer, wherein the buffer is mounted so
that it can be moved and secured in an axial direction to a pole
body in this central opening, and wherein the buffer can be secured
in at least two axially different positions in relation to the pole
body or the inner sleeve via a form-fit connection, wherein the
buffer comprises an outer sleeve engaging around and mounted
axially movably on the inner sleeve, on an outside of which outer
sleeve a latching lever is articulated, wherein the latching lever,
at its lower end directed towards a rolling surface at a lower end
of the buffer, is articulated on the outer sleeve and, at its upper
end in the secured position of the buffer, engages around the pole
body and/or the inner sleeve at least partially with a form fit and
can be released by being pivoted away from the outer sleeve, and
wherein the outer sleeve comprises a buffer attachment at a lower
end thereof, which can be detachably secured to the outer sleeve,
with the aid of a securing pin running transversely to a pole axis,
which at the same time serves as an anti-turn device for the
displacement of the outer sleeve on the inner sleeve, wherein the
securing pin is a guide pin engaging in a guide recess of the inner
sleeve which is offset the pole axis to allow an axial displacement
but not twisting of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve
about the pole axis.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a National Stage of International Application
No. PCT/EP2011/055296 filed Apr. 6, 2011, claiming priority based
on Switzerland Patent Application No. 00533/10 filed Apr. 14, 2010,
the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a pole for use as sports
equipment, in particular as a Nordic walking pole according to the
features of the preamble of claim 1.
PRIOR ART
A plurality of Nordic walking poles are known from the prior art,
not least because the type of sport Nordic walking is enjoying
great popularity among a broad section of the population.
WO 2005/120281 discloses such a Nordic walking pole which comprises
a handle with a loop, a pole body, a pole tip and a rubber buffer
in the area of the pole tip. The pole tip is axially displaceable
in the direction of the pole axis in such a manner that the tip
extends from the rolling surface of the rubber buffer or that the
tip is completely retracted so that no parts of the rubber buffer
extend over the rolling surface. For this purpose the buffer is
typically turned through a specific angle about the pole axis,
axially displaced and then turned back again through the same
angle. The user can accordingly make the choice, according to the
ground, whether the pole should be used with the rubber buffer or
with the extended tip. On a forest path or a path through fields
with coarser stones or gravel and soft ground, the user for example
selects the extended tip. On an asphalt road with a hard, usually
fairly smooth surface the user preferably selects the rubber
buffer.
CH 384 148 discloses a protective device for pole tips. The said
protective device is axially displaceable along the pole axis and
can be fixed with an adjusting screw or a quick release device. In
this case, the protective sleeve can have different positions,
namely for example, a position which releases the pole tip or a
position which protects the pole tip. The protective tip is
non-positively firmly clamped by means of a force which is applied
through the adjusting screw or the quick release device radially to
the circumference of the pole body.
A disadvantage with the poles of the prior art is generally that
the change from the use of the tip to the rubber or the rubber
buffer to the tip is complex and laborious.
Another disadvantage arises from the fact that many of these
buffers could be displaced in the axial direction when there is a
larger force in the axial direction, that is in the direction of
the pole axis.
In addition, adjustable pole tips are liable to contamination. In
particular on wet paths, dirt can collect between the pole tip and
the pole body. Since only a small play should be provided between
pole tip and pole body, the penetration of dirt can impede or even
make impossible any movement of the pole tip.
Known from WO 2008/037098 is a pole, in particular a Nordic walking
pole, which comprises a pole body at the lower end whereof a tip
body and a buffer are provided. The buffer is mounted displaceably
so that it can be fixed in an axial direction to the pole body. The
buffer can be fixed in at least two axially different positions by
means of a positive connection in relation to the pole body. The
tip body and/or the lowermost portion of the pole body are arranged
to pass through a central opening of the buffer and the buffer can
be fixed in an axial direction to the pole body in this central
opening.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly the object of the present invention to provide an
improved buffer for a pole, in particular for a Nordic walking
pole, which allows it to be changed simply between a position with
extended tip and a position with retracted tip, which has no loose
parts and in which the buffer need not be removed and then stowed
away for the conversion. Specifically this involves the improvement
of a buffer or especially a pole having a pole body, at the lower
end of which a buffer with a tip is provided, wherein the tip
and/or a lowermost portion of an inner sleeve secured to the pole
body are arranged passing through a central opening (in the running
surface or rolling surface) of the buffer, wherein the buffer is
mounted so that it can be moved and secured in an axial direction
(in relation to the pole axis) to the pole body in this central
opening, and wherein the buffer can be secured in at least two
axially different positions in relation to the pole body or the
inner sleeve via a form-fit connection. In such a pole or buffer,
the buffer is characterised according to the invention by an outer
sleeve engaging around and mounted axially movably on the inner
sleeve, on the outside of which outer sleeve a latching lever is
articulated, wherein the latching lever, at its lower end directed
towards the rolling surface, is articulated on the outer sleeve
and, at its upper end in the secured position of the buffer,
engages around the pole body and/or the inner sleeve at least
partially with a form fit and can be released by being pivoted away
from the outer sleeve.
The form fit ensures a constructively simple but as secure as
possible fixing which is scarcely susceptible to dirt. As a result
of the external arrangement of the latching lever, this can easily
be actuated by hand from outside and is scarcely susceptible to
dirt, this is in contrast to constructions in which such a latching
lever is installed inside the outer sleeve. Nevertheless, however
in the folded-in state, that is when one of the two positions is
fixed positively, the latching lever can engage at least partially
in an indentation of the outer sleeve and can be arranged, for
example, at least in sections or even completely flush with the
contour of this. As a result of the axis of rotation of the
latching lever located at the bottom, the region located at the top
and barely exposed to dirt can be used for the form fit. The form
fit is additionally ensured whereby the upper end of the latching
lever engages at least partially around the inner sleeve or the
pole tube.
According to a first preferred embodiment, the latching lever in
the secured position of the buffer (or preferably in both secured
positions) engages at least partially around the inner sleeve,
preferably by more than half the circumference of the inner sleeve.
In particular, the latter design is preferred since by this means
whilst simultaneously using a slightly flexible (but
non-elastomeric) material for the latching lever, a, to a certain
extent, automatic snapping-in of the same around the inner sleeve
can be achieved constructively very simply. The latching lever can
thus be fixed entirely without spring mounting and simply only by
axial mounting on the outer sleeve, which further simplifies the
construction and nevertheless optimally fixes both positions.
According to a further preferred embodiment, an at least partially
circumferential extension (in the sense of a rib running at least
partially around the pole axis, typically having a width in the
axial direction in the range of 1-10 mm, preferably in the range of
2-6 mm) and/or an at least partially circumferential indentation
(in the sense of a groove running at least partially around the
pole axis) can be provided on the inner sleeve in the engagement
region of the lever, on or in which the upper end of the latching
lever acts or engages positively.
Such an embodiment is further preferably characterised in that on
the inner side of the upper end of the latching lever a projection
in the form of a contact region (in the sense of an inwardly
directed flange or a circumferential inwardly directed rib, this
can be configured to be corresponding and adapted to the aforesaid
rib on the inner sleeve) is provided on the circumference of the
inner sleeve and an undercut (in the sense of a preferably at least
partially circumferential groove) following directly in the
direction of the axis of rotation (that is downwards) is provided
for contact on the circumference of the extension in at least one
secured position.
A further preferred embodiment is characterised in that the axis of
rotation of the latching lever is disposed substantially
perpendicular to the pole axis, that is preferably running
transversely to this and offset laterally from this, and that
preferably outwardly projecting bearing extensions are provided on
the outer sleeve in order to mount this axis of rotation in axial
holes.
A further preferred embodiment is characterised in that the outer
sleeve comprises a buffer attachment at the lower end thereof,
which can be detachably secured to the outer sleeve, preferably
with the aid of a securing pin running transversely to the pole
axis. It is quite particularly preferred if this securing pin at
the same time serves as an anti-turn device for the displacement of
the outer sleeve on the inner sleeve. On the one hand, this
facilitates assembly as will be explained further below and on the
other hand ensures the exchangeability and the anti-turn locking of
the two components relative to one another.
Quite generally preferably inner sleeve and outer sleeve as well as
preferably the latching lever consist of a metal or a substantially
inflexible thermoplastic hard plastic such as polyethylene,
polycarbonate, polyamide, ABS, PVC and optionally fibre-reinforced
forms thereof. Multi-component components are also possible here
(e.g. combinations of metal and plastic). The buffer attachment is
preferably formed from an elastomeric material such as, for
example, from a thermoplastic elastomer such as, for example, TPE,
TPU (TPU=urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers) or vulcanised
rubber, or said buffer attachment can also be formed as a
two-component component having a securing region made of a
substantially inflexible hard plastic and having an elastomeric
region forming the rolling surface. Spikes can also be let into the
rolling surface of the buffer attachment, as is known for example
from WO 2006/128312.
A further preferred embodiment is characterised in that in an upper
region the inner sleeve has an axial recess for receiving and
securing the pole body and the tip is secured in a lower region (at
the lower end) of the inner sleeve. Quite generally the tip
preferably comprises a separate metal tip, in particular made of
hardened and/or coated metal or of ceramic or of a combination of
such materials. It is further preferred that the tip is secured in
an axial recess of the lower part of the inner sleeve.
The tip can be secured directly on the lower region of the inner
sleeve or by means of a separate securing element (for example,
made of metal or plastic), which has an upper securing stub which
is secured in a recess in the lower region of the inner sleeve, and
adjoining in the downward direction, a flange preferably only
extending in the running direction towards the front and back
preferably followed in the downward direction by a lower securing
stub in which a tip is let in and secured in a recess. In order to
predefine the rotation position of the securing element relative to
the inner sleeve, the upper securing stub can preferably have a
non-circular cross-section and accordingly, the recess of the inner
sleeve, in which the securing stub is let in, has a corresponding
non-circular cross-section.
As already mentioned further above, during an axial displacement of
inner sleeve relative to outer sleeve, it is preferable to prevent
these two elements from being able to twist simultaneously.
Accordingly, according to a further preferred embodiment, means are
provided, which, in the event of an axial displacement of the outer
sleeve relative to the inner sleeve, prevent a twisting of these
two elements relative to one another about the pole axis, wherein
this means preferably comprises a guide pin running transversely to
the pole axis, which engages in a guide recess (or guide
indentation) of the inner sleeve which allows axial displacement
but not twisting.
The outer sleeve can preferably be fixed in two positions relative
to the inner sleeve but it is also possible to provide a plurality
of, for example, three different positions. If two or only two such
positions are provided, it is preferable that in an upper position
of the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve, the tip is
arranged so that it projects downwards over the rolling surface,
preferably projecting in the range of 2-10 mm, and in a lower
position of the outer sleeve the tip does not project over the
rolling surface, wherein this is preferably arranged in this second
position 2-10 mm above (or behind) the rolling surface and embedded
in the buffer, and wherein these two positions are each fixed
positively by means of the latching lever.
The present invention further relates to a buffer for such a pole.
In addition, the present invention relates to a method for mounting
a pole as has been described above, where this method is preferably
characterised in that the outer sleeve without attachment with
buffer element is pushed onto the inner sleeve and that the
attachment is then put in place and is secured with the securing
pin on the outer sleeve, wherein the securing pin engages in a
guide recess in the inner sleeve so that inner sleeve and outer
sleeve are only displaceable in a torque-proof manner in the axial
region predefined by the guide recesses.
According to a first preferred embodiment, this method is
characterised in that the inner sleeve is secured on the pole body,
preferably by securing the pole body in a recess in the upper
region of the inner sleeve, wherein the tip can preferably be
secured by means of a securing element on the inner sleeve or can
be secured thereafter on the inner sleeve. Further embodiments are
given in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained hereinafter
with reference to the drawings, which merely serve for explanation
and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows in various views a buffer according to a first
exemplary embodiment in the position in which the tip is concealed,
where a) shows a view in the running direction from behind, b)
shows a side view, c) shows a view in the running direction from
the front, d) shows a view from above, e) shows a view from below
of the rolling surface, f) shows a section along A-A in Figure c),
g) shows a section along B-B in Figure b) and h) shows a
perspective view;
FIG. 2 shows in various views a buffer according to a first
exemplary embodiment in the position in which the securing
mechanism is released and the outer sleeve is already displaced
upwards by half the distance, where a) shows a view in the running
direction from behind, b) shows a side view, c) shows a view in the
running direction from the front, d) shows a view from above, e)
shows a view from below of the rolling surface, f) shows a section
along C-C in Figure c), g) shows a section along D-D in Figure b)
and h) shows a perspective view;
FIG. 3 shows in various views a buffer according to the first
exemplary embodiment in the secured position, in which the tip
projects downwards over the rolling surface, where a) shows a side
view, b shows a section similar to the section according to FIG.
2f) or FIG. 1f) and c) shows a section similar to the section
according to FIG. 2g) or FIG. 1g;
FIG. 4 shows a buffer according to a second exemplary embodiment,
where a) shows a section similar to the section according to FIG.
1f) with retracted tip, b) shows a section similar to FIG. 2g) with
extended tip and c) shows a section similar to FIG. 3b) with
extended tip.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1-3 show a first exemplary embodiment of a pole or a buffer
of a design according to the present invention. The same reference
numbers in all these figures denote the same components.
FIG. 1 shows different views of this buffer according to the first
exemplary embodiment in that position in which the tip is
retracted. FIG. 2 shows different views of the situation in which
the securing mechanism is released and the outer sleeve is already
displaced half the distance to the fixed tip. FIG. 3 shows
different views of that fixed position in which the tip projects
over the rolling surface. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1,
the buffer comprises an inner sleeve 2 which has a central recess
24 in which the lower end of a tube body, which tapers conically
here, is pressed and/or glued in. The upper region of this inner
sleeve 3 to a certain extent forms a cuff which surrounds the pole
body. The inner sleeve 3 has an upper region 37 which forms this
cuff and serves to receive the pole tube and for securing the
positive connection in the two positions of the buffer. In
addition, a lower part 36 of the inner sleeve 3 follows in the
downward direction and formed in one piece with the upper part 37.
The actual tip 19 made of a wear-resistant material such as, for
example, metal, hard metal, ceramic or a combination of these
materials is secured at the lower end to this lower part 36. This
is not directly but via a securing element 28 which typically
consists of metal or hard metal.
The lower region 36 of the inner sleeve 3 has an axial recess in
which an upper securing stub 29 of the securing element 28 is let
in or secured. As can be identified in particular with reference to
the sectional views according to FIGS. 1f and g, this securing stub
29 has a greater width in the running direction (FIG. 1f) than
transversely to the running direction (FIG. 1g). The recess in the
lower part 36 of the inner sleeve is configured accordingly and not
circular. Preferably this upper securing stub 29 is an originally
cylindrical region laterally flattened. This non-circular
configuration of the upper securing stub 29 ensures that the
securing element 28 is secured in a rotation-preventing manner in
the inner sleeve.
This is followed in the downward direction by a flange formed on
the upper securing stub 29 and in one piece with this, which rests
with its upper side on the downwardly directed end surface of the
inner sleeve 3. This flange 30 is only formed to the front and rear
when viewed in the running direction (compare FIG. 1f) but not in
the lateral direction since the space relationships in the lateral
direction do not allow such a flange. The flange 30 on the one hand
allows a clear impact point for the securing of the securing
element 28 in the inner sleeve but on the other hand a defined
lower impact point for the position in which the tip projects
downwards over the rolling surface (compare in particular the
sectional view according to FIG. 3b).
This is followed in the downward direction on this flange 30 on the
securing element 28 by a lower securing stub 35 which has a recess
31 in the downward direction, in which the actual separate tip 19
consisting of a hard material as described above is pressed or
glued in. The entire lower securing stub 35 and the tip 19 have a
cross-sectional shape which is adapted to a through-opening
provided in an attachment 16 or the elastic region 15 and the
securing region 26 so that in different positions of the outer
sleeve 25 relative to the inner sleeve 3 the tip 19 can be
displaced through this through-opening 18.
An outer sleeve 25 is located on the lower region 36 of the inner
sleeve 3 mounted displaceably in the axial direction. A latching
lever 4 is articulated on the outer side of this outer sleeve 25,
which lever has two bearing extensions 9 of the outer sleeve 25
formed towards the back in the running direction, which having two
aligned axial holes 10. The latching lever 4 is secured between
these two bearing extensions 9. For this purpose a tapered region 6
of the latching lever engages between the two bearing extensions 9,
which region has a through-opening and an axis of rotation 5,
typically a metal pin, is inserted between the two axial holes 10
and this through-opening so that the latching lever 4 is pivotably
mounted about this axis on the outer sleeve 25.
At its upper end this latching lever 4 has a clamp region 7. With
this clamp region 7 the latching lever embraces the upper part 37
of the inner sleeve 3 in a self-latching manner in the fixed
position of the buffer. On the inner side of this clamp region 7,
for precise fixing of the positive connection in both positions, on
the one hand there is a radially inwardly extending contact region
22 located on the inside on the circumference and an undercut 23 in
the sense of a similarly circumferential groove following directly
below.
The axial displaceability of the outer sleeve is furthermore
ensured by a guide recess 27 provided in the lower region 36 of the
inner sleeve 3, which is configured to be elongated in the axial
direction. A transversely running guide pin 17 which is secured in
the outer sleeve 25 engages in this guide recess 27. In the lower
position of the outer sleeve 25, as can be seen in particular from
FIG. 1f, this guide pin 17 rests on the lower stop point of the
guide recess 27. On the other side, the contact region 22 of the
lever 4 acts positively from below on a circumferential latching
extension 11 in the upper region 37 of the inner sleeve.
Accordingly, in the lower position of the outer sleeve 25 as shown
in FIG. 1, the outer sleeve is fixed in this position whereby one
stop is given by the relative position of the guide pin 17 in the
guide recess 27 on the lower stop and on the other side by contact
of the stop region 22 on the lower surface of the latching
extension 11.
On the lower side of the outer sleeve 25 a detachable attachment 16
is provided in this design so that according to requirements,
another softer buffer region can be placed thereon, for example,
different degrees of hardness of the buffer can be characterised by
different colours.
This attachment 16 comprises a securing region 26 typically made of
hard plastic as well as an elastic region 15 typically injection
moulded on this region 26, the lower side of which forms the
rolling surface 13 with a profile 14. The rolling surface 13 is
here configured asymmetrically and is in particular raised further
towards the front in the running direction in order to be optimally
matched to the running direction for Nordic walking. The tip 19
passes through this rolling surface approximately in the rear
third. In addition, the profiling has lateral extensions 21.
Such an attachment 16 is now secured to the outer sleeve 25 by
being pushed onto a projection 32 on the outer sleeve and then the
guide pin 17 already discussed above being inserted laterally. The
guide pin 17 is used at the same time for securing the attachment
16, whereby the attachment has two aligned through-openings
provided in two laterally arranged wings of the same which grip
around the outer sleeve, through which the transverse pin 17
passes.
From the, to a certain extent, lower position of the outer sleeve
25 relative to the inner sleeve 3, as shown in FIG. 1, such a
buffer can be displaced into the position with extended tip
according to FIG. 3, whereby the lever 4, as shown in FIG. 2, is
pivoted laterally outwards so that the contact region 22 releases
the latching extension 11. Then, the outer sleeve 25 can be
successively displaced upwards within the framework of the
movability of the guide pin 17 in the guide recess 27. FIG. 2 shows
a middle position of the axial displacement of the outer sleeve 25
relative to the inner sleeve 3.
FIG. 3 now shows the position in which the outer sleeve 25 has been
pushed through the stop of the axial movability predefined by the
recess 27 or the securing pin 17 and the lever 4 has again been
placed onto the inner sleeve and has snapped around the inner
sleeve in a self-latching manner to a certain extent. In this upper
position of the outer sleeve, the contact region now lies above the
latching extension 11 and the latching extension 11 engages
positively in the undercut 23. In this second position the upper
region of the latching lever 4 therefore defines a complete
positive securing and the lower stop predefined by the guide recess
27 or the guide pin 17 is not absolutely necessary but is
possible.
A slightly modified simplified design of such a buffer is shown in
FIG. 4. An essential difference from the first exemplary embodiment
is the configuration of the securing element 28, otherwise the
external appearance and the other components are configured to be
the same as in the first exemplary embodiment and accordingly the
same reference numbers designate the same elements. In this
exemplary embodiment the securing element 28 is configured as a
simple stub without flange 30. The upper securing stub 29 has a
circular cross-sectional surface, accordingly the securing element
is a component which is easy to manufacture since it is circularly
symmetrical.
REFERENCE LIST
1 Pole body 2 Buffer 3 Inner sleeve 4 Latching lever 5 Axis of
rotation of 4 6 Tapered region of 4 7 Clamp region of 4 8 Pole axis
9 Bearing extensions of 25 10 Axial holes in 9 11 Latching
extension on 25 12 Running direction 13 Rolling surface 14 Profile
on 13 15 Elastic region of 16 16 Attachment 17 Securing pin for 16
on 25/guide pin 18 Through-opening in 16 19 Tip 21 Lateral
extensions of 15 22 Contact region of 7 23 Undercut below 22 24
Recess in 2 for 1 25 Outer sleeve 26 Securing region of 16 27 Guide
recess for 17 28 Securing element 29 Upper securing stub of 28 30
Flange of 28 31 Recess in 28 for 20 32 Projection 33 Guide opening
in 25 for 3 34 Tapering below 11 35 Lower securing stub of 28 for
20 36 Lower region of 3 37 Upper region of 3
* * * * *